Save Our Clock & Create Children Futures

The environment

The project has delivered environmental benefits by focusing on restoration and sustainable improvement rather than replacement. By restoring the existing clock tower and refurbishing the building, we have preserved a historic structure while significantly reducing the environmental impact that would have resulted from demolition and new construction. Reusing and upgrading the existing building helps minimise construction waste and reduces the demand for new materials, lowering the project’s overall carbon footprint. Safeguarding and revitalising the clock tower also encourages community use of an existing central space rather than developing new sites, supporting more sustainable use of local infrastructure. By protecting and enhancing a valued landmark, we ensure future generations can enjoy the building. Overall, the project demonstrates how heritage restoration and environmental responsibility can work together — preserving the past while creating a more sustainable future for the community.

The local economy

The restoration works themselves provided employment and business opportunities for local contractors, tradespeople, and suppliers, ensuring that much of the crowdfunding investment was spent within the local community and supported local jobs. In addition, Bonnie Bear Day Care Day Nursery contributes to the local economy by enabling parents and carers to return to work or increase their working hours, knowing that high-quality childcare is available locally. Access to reliable childcare is essential for many families and directly supports local businesses by helping them recruit and retain staff who might otherwise be unable to work. The nursery also supports economic growth in Walton by employing staff primarily from the local area, creating job opportunities and keeping income within the community. Families visiting the nursery also bring regular footfall to the area, benefiting nearby shops and services through everyday spending. By restoring a prominent local landmark and supporting childcare provision, the project strengthens both community infrastructure and economic activity, helping ensure Walton remains a thriving and family-friendly place to live and work.

Volunteering, jobs & education

The project has contributed to employment, skills development, and community involvement in several meaningful ways. Due to the complexity of the restoration, the project required specialist engineers and skilled contractors to complete the works safely and successfully. This ensured that highly skilled professionals were employed during the restoration process, supporting specialist jobs and maintaining important heritage restoration skills. In addition, the owners have voluntarily committed their own time to further improve the building following the structural works, including repainting and enhancing the exterior finish. This voluntary contribution demonstrates ongoing community commitment and pride in maintaining a landmark that benefits everyone in the area. Most significantly, the completion of the project has supported the continued growth of Bonnie Bear Day Care Day Nursery, which has already created between 10 and 12 local jobs, including during the challenging period of the pandemic. The nursery continues to grow as a successful local business, providing stable employment opportunities while delivering high-quality early years education to families within the close-knit Walton community. By combining specialist restoration work, voluntary community effort, and long-term employment and education provision, the project has created lasting social and economic benefits for the area.

Arts, culture & heritage

The project has made an important contribution to protecting and celebrating local arts, culture, and heritage by restoring a historic landmark that holds significance for the Walton community. The clock tower, originally built to a high standard using skilled craftspeople and quality materials, is an important part of the area’s architectural heritage. Like many buildings of its age, it had begun to suffer deterioration that threatened both its appearance and long-term future. Through this project, essential repairs and restoration work have ensured the tower is preserved and returned to full working order. By restoring the clock tower rather than allowing it to decline, the project safeguards a visible piece of local history and craftsmanship. It allows current residents and future generations to continue enjoying and identifying with a landmark that has long formed part of the community’s landscape and identity. The restoration also strengthens cultural pride within the community by bringing renewed attention to the area’s heritage and creating a focal point that people recognise and value. The illuminated clock, including its pink and blue lighting in support of baby loss awareness — an important part of the nursery’s story — also adds a modern layer of cultural meaning and remembrance to the historic structure. Overall, the project preserves an important heritage asset while ensuring it remains relevant and appreciated by the community for many years to come, allowing the clock tower to continue telling time and telling the story of the community it serves.

Activity, health and leisure

The project has helped promote activity, wellbeing, and community pride by improving the appearance and atmosphere of a key gateway into the Walton area. Situated on one of the busiest roads locally, the restored clock tower is seen daily by thousands of residents, commuters, and visitors. By transforming a deteriorating structure into an attractive, well-maintained landmark, the project has enhanced the overall environment, making the area feel more welcoming and encouraging people to feel positive about spending time locally. A well-maintained and visually appealing environment plays an important role in promoting community wellbeing, as people are more likely to walk, visit local shops, and use community facilities when their surroundings feel safe, cared for, and attractive. The restored clock tower helps create a stronger sense of pride and belonging among residents, encouraging greater engagement with local spaces and services. In addition, the nursery itself supports families’ health and wellbeing by providing high-quality childcare and early years education, giving children safe spaces to learn and play while supporting parents to maintain balanced working and family lives. The nursery environment promotes active play and social development, contributing positively to children’s early health and wellbeing. Overall, the project has improved a prominent community space, encouraged local engagement and pride, and supported families’ wellbeing through enhanced community infrastructure.